Summary
Highlights
Abraham Lincoln's Assassination00:00:02
On Friday, April 14th, Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theater. Booth, an actor and Southern loyalist, gained access to Lincoln's box because the guard had left his post.
Lincoln Pronounced Dead00:00:47
Abraham Lincoln was pronounced dead at 7:22 AM the following morning.
The Larger Conspiracy00:00:58
It was later discovered that Lincoln's assassination was part of a larger plot involving several co-conspirators. Booth believed that eliminating Lincoln would lead to the South rising again and he would be hailed as a hero. The conspirators also attacked Secretary of State Seward, almost killing him, but failed to reach Vice President Andrew Johnson.
Impact of the Assassination00:01:34
Lincoln's assassination sent shock waves across the entire country. While some Confederates rejoiced, others viewed it as a disaster. Many felt sorrow that Lincoln, who had nearly seen the end of the war, wouldn't be able to share in the peace.
Lincoln's Vision for Peace00:02:16
It is suggested that if Lincoln had completed his second term, he would have been a very conciliatory president, aiming to establish peace for all mankind. His death was a tragedy that prevented him from fulfilling this promise.